A look at the future of the Texas football running back room
By Shane Black
2023
2023 is the year when things will start to open up in the Texas running back room. With Bijan more than likely moving onto the NFL, the 2023 starting running back job will be up for grabs in Austin.
The aforementioned Roschon Johnson, if he sticks around, will be the guy to beat for the starting job. 2023 will be his fifth year in Austin and his locker room respect alone may earn him the role of ‘starter’. Keilan Robinson will still likely be on the Forty, but he is more of a gadget player who sparingly takes prototypical handoffs.
With that said, there will still be a ton of snaps available with Robinson’s departure. Brooks, sophomore Jaydon Blue, and freshman Baxter will be in a battle for these snaps. If the Longhorns avoid major injuries in 2022, Brooks, Blue, and Baxter will all be competing without having taken many collegiate snaps.
Brooks, by far the lowest ranked recruit of the three, has proven in practice and scout team roles to be a very dynamic runner of the football. I doubt Sark will take into account recruiting ranking, so Brooks should have an equal opportunity to earn playing time.
Blue and Baxter will be in relatively similar positions, separated by just a year. Both are highly ranked recruits in their own right, both guys have Sunday potential if used correctly. I love the potential of both Blue and Baxter and think Texas could quickly transition out of the Robinson era with this duo.